no weld here, but that's a nice improvement. i've since looked at mine again and it's the winch mount version and all nuts are probably "accessible" but i still think it's would be better to install the hoop first. if the nuts are welded it's not an issue.

to be honest, i don't remember any rubber washers with mine that everyone is talking about.

 

I have the non winch bumper and have the same bolt issue. Not a big deal because it is solid. (like everyone else has said) The nuts on mine are welded in so no problem putting it on before or after. The end caps went on fine before and after also, just a problem with tire clearance with my new wheels/tires. Had to cut alot off them off to keep the endcaps on. I love the look of the bumper too much to get rid of it.

 

Thanks for the info guys. I just wanted to make sure I didn't have defective one, sounds like they are all about the same.

 

yup mine is the same. The welds on the hoop and the mounting plate get in the way of the washers. I along with others even found that 1 bolt on each side does not suck down completely due to the weld. I'm not worried about it one bit as it is very solid. I did however repaint the bumper and hoop after installation as the torque on the bolts did strip away some of the coating. Nothing that 2 cans and a few thin coats of paint could'nt take care of.

 

I have also joined the holes too close the weld club as I went to install the hoop on mine. How bummed was I! After going back to Project JK.com and found that it wouldn't be worth sending it back for another with the same problems, I took all the washers to the bench grinder and flattened down one side to make each clear the weld. On two of them (unfortunately two in the front), I need to stack two washers to let the head of the bolt tighten down before it chewed into the weld. After a little flat black tomorrow it will look perfect!

I'll take pics in the am as it is now dark, and I had out the halogens! I opted to mount the hoop slanting forward. Looks much meaner!